Susan Reedy McMath, born on December 9, 1957, in Manchester, Conn., passed away unexpectedly. She was the daughter of the late Garland and Beverly Reedy. Susan grew up in Coventry, Conn., alongside her older sister, Janeen, and brother, Christopher, and attended the Coventry school system. She later made her home in Walden, Vt., where she and her husband raised their daughters. From a young age, she loved the outdoors and adventure, traveling across the country with her family in a station wagon pulling a pop-up trailer — experiences that shaped her lifelong love of nature.
Her passion for flowers, gardens and plants began early through her work at the gardens of the Nathan Hale Homestead Historical Site. This love guided much of her early career, which included loon research in New Hampshire, work with the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin, research at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida and studies of common terns on Lake Michigan.
Susan attended Northland College in Ashland, Wis., where she earned a degree in biology and met her future husband, David McMath. They were married on September 6, 1986, and built a life rooted in love, curiosity, nature and family.
Together, they raised two daughters, Keilidh and Linnea. Susan was deeply devoted to her family and found great joy in being a mother and grandmother to her beloved grandchildren, Liam and Torrin. She especially treasured trips to Florida with her girls to visit her parents, creating memories filled with sunshine and togetherness.
Susan loved the ocean, gardening and spending time with her family. A master gardener, she had a lifelong love of flowers. On sunny afternoons in Vermont, she could often be found sitting in a lawn chair with a good book, soaking up the warmth of the sun. She adored her dog, Acer, and always shared her home with golden retrievers and many cats.
She was deeply artistic — an exceptionally talented quilter, a gifted photographer, and a lover of arts and crafts, including making handmade kites. She took special joy in creating quilts for dear friends and family, delighting in giving them as gifts made with care and love.
Susan had a deep appreciation for life’s small moments. She delighted in noticing everyday details — a squirrel in a tree, a bird passing by, the way the light shifted in the afternoon — and spoke about them with warmth and curiosity that made others feel present and connected.
She loved sailing on Lake Champlain, could talk to anyone and told wonderfully detailed stories. Generous and welcoming, Susan touched many lives with her kindness and joy. Her favorite joke was, “Why did the turkey cross the road? Because it was the chicken’s day off!”
She is survived by her husband, David McMath; daughters, Keilidh McMath and Linnea Devine; son-in-law, Chuck Devine; grandchildren, Liam Devine and Torrin Devine; brother, Christopher Reedy, and his wife, Susan; sister, Janeen Adil, and her husband, Tom; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
No formal services will be held at this time, with plans for a summer celebration of Susan’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society or the Vermont Audubon Society.